Nike patenting a machine to customize Flyknit shoes

Nike's Flyknit sneakers are
wildly popular worldwide — the franchise is expected to bring
in $1 billion a year in revenue this year, according to Forbes.

Now, the company appears to be developing a shoes/201702/1559.html">machine that will
make the shoes fit even better.

Called the "Portable Steaming System for Articles of Footwear,"
the device uses steam to customize how a pair of Flyknits
fit an individual owner. As first reported by Investor's Business Daily,
Nike filed a patent
application for the machine with the US Patent
and Trademark Office on September 22.

The patent's illustration basically looks like a steam
monster engulfing a pair of sneakers:

An illustration of Nike's
the "Portable Steaming System for Articles of
Footwear."US Patent and Trademark
Office

Flyknits are unlike other Nike sneakers because the upper
part (which wraps around the top and sides of the foot)
is made of woven yarn and other fibers. The soft,
stretchy material is designed to mimic the feel of a
sock, offering a snug fit that can go nearly unnoticed by
the wearer. The sneakers debuted in 2012 and now retail
for $130 to $270, depending on the model (Nike offers over
190 different pairs on its site).

According to Nike's patent application, the portable
steaming system was invented by Bryan Farris, one of the
company's Portland-based shoe developers. The customer
puts on their Flyknits immediately after the hot
steam has hit the yarn material, causing
the fabric to shrink and offer a more snug fit. Each
shoe can be customized to accommodate any differences between
your right and left foot as well.

The machine resembles a device unveiled by Nike
in 2013. A GIF from a video produced
by The Next
Web (below) shows a Nike worker placing the shoes in a
black metal box, where they are steamed for about 30 seconds. The
shoes' owner then puts them on so the shoes
can mold to their feet.

The machine was available in Nike's London and New
York City flagship stores for a limited time in 2013. When
customers bought a pair of Flyknits, they could get them
steamed for free.

Nike is also developing other sneaker innovations. At
an event in March, the company introduced
its "Back to the Future"-inspired HyperAdapt self-lacing shoe,
which will become available at select US stores in late
November (a year after protagonist Mart McFly wears them in the
movie). This year, the company also unveiled its
Vapormax
sneakers, which feature a bubbly midsole that increases
flexibility and bounce without compromising support.

These shoes, along with the new steaming machine,
provide an intriguing glimpse into the future
of sneaker technology.

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